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What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Cole: All Smoked Up on May 7, 2016, 8:41 pm

Can anyone explain to me and a few other cookers what happen to the judges scoring at Saluda Shoals park event? It felt like a kick in the teeth when I saw that score sheet! That's hard to swallow after scoring a 15.910 two weeks before with the same exact profile that was turned in today. There is no way you can tell me that with the caliber of comp teams that were there today, the best score was a15.4! (Congrats Jason)
A 15.4 wouldn't keep you in the top 5 of the last eight events this year. So, if you know the answer fess up cause that's the sort of stuff that makes a team not want to do that event ever again!

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Doug on May 8, 2016, 7:50 am, in reply to "What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

I am a judge working on getting my masters and I did my last cook with a Backwoods this weekend at Saluda and after doing that I have to agree with Cole. I may be stepping on a few of my fellow Judges toes but So be it. I feel they need to be stepped on. I have looked back at scores from the last few weeks and I will say they al all pretty low all the way around and I'm not saying for any one team. It is for all teams. I cannot believe that the BBQ in this great state has fallen off that much. We have the best cooks in the state cooking the best BBQ in the state for us every weekend and putting everything they can into that. I for one feel privileged and honored to judge and eat this fine BBQ that they give us to judge and I feel that as judges we have the responsibility to give them the best scores that we can. They have earned that from us. With out these hard working crews there would be no SCBA. For me it is a honor and a treat to be able to cook with any of these crews. They are like one big huge family and they get hurt when they feel they are not being treated right and I for one have to agree with them. So come on lets try to show them a little respect and give them what they deserve and have earned. We as judges owe them that for proving that our state has the best BBQ in the world. Again I'm sorry if I stepped on some toes but that is my opinion and mine alone. Don't banish me for it. Hope to see all of you, both judges and cook teams on the SC STATE BBQ TRAIL.

--Previous Message--
: Can anyone explain to me and a few other
: cookers what happen to the judges scoring at
: Saluda Shoals park event? It felt like a
: kick in the teeth when I saw that score
: sheet! That's hard to swallow after scoring
: a 15.910 two weeks before with the same
: exact profile that was turned in today.
: There is no way you can tell me that with
: the caliber of comp teams that were there
: today, the best score was a15.4! (Congrats
: Jason)
: A 15.4 wouldn't keep you in the top 5 of the
: last eight events this year. So, if you
: know the answer fess up cause that's the
: sort of stuff that makes a team not want to
: do that event ever again!
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Tesa on May 8, 2016, 7:57 am, in reply to "What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

Either more training needs to be done, or the Captains need to speak up. However, maybe SCBA needs to change their main meat to ribs because the ribs scores are always higher than the darn pork!!!! With the scores for texture/tenderness maybe the judges need to give us all a cooking lesson.Are better yet, let them cook and let the cookers judge them!

--Previous Message--
: Can anyone explain to me and a few other
: cookers what happen to the judges scoring at
: Saluda Shoals park event? It felt like a
: kick in the teeth when I saw that score
: sheet! That's hard to swallow after scoring
: a 15.910 two weeks before with the same
: exact profile that was turned in today.
: There is no way you can tell me that with
: the caliber of comp teams that were there
: today, the best score was a15.4! (Congrats
: Jason)
: A 15.4 wouldn't keep you in the top 5 of the
: last eight events this year. So, if you
: know the answer fess up cause that's the
: sort of stuff that makes a team not want to
: do that event ever again!
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Valerie Price on May 8, 2016, 8:19 am, in reply to "What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

I completely agree you, Cole! The scores in Chester weren't any better. This has nothing to do with the event or the marshals involved. Its obvious our judging is lacking and some of them have forgotten the score for average BBQ. which is 14.7. We have some great judges in the SCBA, but then you have some that only come once in a while and sit on a table and hand out 13.5 scores which shouldn't be allowed and bring the overall score way down. This is the problem!! I think if they haven't judged in a year or are a very low score giver the higher up staff should give these judges a refresher class or step in.

--Previous Message--
: Can anyone explain to me and a few other
: cookers what happen to the judges scoring at
: Saluda Shoals park event? It felt like a
: kick in the teeth when I saw that score
: sheet! That's hard to swallow after scoring
: a 15.910 two weeks before with the same
: exact profile that was turned in today.
: There is no way you can tell me that with
: the caliber of comp teams that were there
: today, the best score was a15.4! (Congrats
: Jason)
: A 15.4 wouldn't keep you in the top 5 of the
: last eight events this year. So, if you
: know the answer fess up cause that's the
: sort of stuff that makes a team not want to
: do that event ever again!
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Chris:Ultimate Tailgaters BBQ on May 8, 2016, 8:49 am, in reply to "What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

First off thanks to Cole for starting the conversation + ditto to the last 3 posts from Doug, Tesa, and Val. Couldn't have said it any better. I have a blog radio show on Monday nights. I hope some of you will call/listen in as I would like to hear your thoughts. Lastly, thanks to Jim Wellman for putting on a fine event and feeding everyone on Friday night at a beautiful venue.

--Previous Message--
: Can anyone explain to me and a few other
: cookers what happen to the judges scoring at
: Saluda Shoals park event? It felt like a
: kick in the teeth when I saw that score
: sheet! That's hard to swallow after scoring
: a 15.910 two weeks before with the same
: exact profile that was turned in today.
: There is no way you can tell me that with
: the caliber of comp teams that were there
: today, the best score was a15.4! (Congrats
: Jason)
: A 15.4 wouldn't keep you in the top 5 of the
: last eight events this year. So, if you
: know the answer fess up cause that's the
: sort of stuff that makes a team not want to
: do that event ever again!
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Ley on May 8, 2016, 9:39 am, in reply to "What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

I am glad this conversation was started and I completely agree. The responses that have been written are spot on too! I have often wondered how you can cook the exact same recipe the exact same way and have sucb a huge swing in your score...we got a 14.6 yesterday i believe and thats the same recipe we won Port Royal with a 15.9. I know when this season started out everyone was shocked and excited about how high the scores were. It is great to feel you are being appreciated for and judged fairly on what you turned in. These lower scores don't affect some of us as much as it does those that are making a run for the state championship...having said that, if you're racking up 15.7s, 15.8s, 15.9s even 16s through the first 8 contests of the year and then these scores drop off so dramatically, it makes it pretty unfair to those folks chasing the leaders. I brag about the SCBA judging process because it is the only organization I know of that has the novice process to train new judges but it seems somewhere there is a breakdown. It seems over the last few years that we have been part of the SCBA there are certain contests that just seem to score lower no matter whose cooking. It looks like some of these events may have the same Marshalls or maybe table captains or judges...something needs to be looked at and corrected. I love cooking Saluda Shoals because of the location and because of Jim but every year it is a lower scoring event. I think this issue has been brought up before and I'm not sure why the concerns of the cook teams don't seem to be addressed or if they are, we don't see the changes. I really hope the higher ups start taking these complaints seriously before it affects the SCBA overall because the teams it is hurting are the top 5 or 10 teams in the state each year. Thanks again to Jim and the Saluda Shoals staff for yet again another well run event in a beautiful park. I hope the board of the SCBA and the cooks can come together and get this resolved, I don't believe it's about pointing fingers but I do believe ths issue needs to be resolved. Congrats to Jason and everyone else that got a call, I hope you uderstand this is not about who won and didn't win but about the overall low scores with the caliber of cooks that were there...that's my opinion of what is being said here.

--Previous Message--
: Can anyone explain to me and a few other
: cookers what happen to the judges scoring at
: Saluda Shoals park event? It felt like a
: kick in the teeth when I saw that score
: sheet! That's hard to swallow after scoring
: a 15.910 two weeks before with the same
: exact profile that was turned in today.
: There is no way you can tell me that with
: the caliber of comp teams that were there
: today, the best score was a15.4! (Congrats
: Jason)
: A 15.4 wouldn't keep you in the top 5 of the
: last eight events this year. So, if you
: know the answer fess up cause that's the
: sort of stuff that makes a team not want to
: do that event ever again!
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Cole: All smoked Up on May 8, 2016, 11:45 am, in reply to "What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

Well I sure am glad to see that I was not the only one that felt like something was off. I don't think there should be an average score that you start from when scoring a teams turn in box. The way I see it you would start at 17 and mark down from there. I know it's mathematically impossible to get a 17 but our goal is to make the best que anyone has ever eaten. I've had a few judges cook with us as part of the SCBA requirements to progress to a master judge and i do my best to show them what it takes to put a turn in box together from start to finish. As Doug said there is a lot of work that goes into doing what we do. Preparation for a competition starts on Wednesdays around my house. That means making fresh rub, ($35.00) getting my comp sauce mixed up, ($30.00) and making sure that the trailer is read to roll first thing Friday morning.(time away from my son and smoking hot wife who supports this crazy habit all the way) This may not seem too bad but do it seven weekends in a row and tell me what you think after that. This is a labor of love for cookers. The SCBA is a great organization and I'm proud to be apart of it but this needs to be addressed. Thanks Jim for putting on a great event at a great venue and for the meal Friday night too.

--Previous Message--
: Can anyone explain to me and a few other
: cookers what happen to the judges scoring at
: Saluda Shoals park event? It felt like a
: kick in the teeth when I saw that score
: sheet! That's hard to swallow after scoring
: a 15.910 two weeks before with the same
: exact profile that was turned in today.
: There is no way you can tell me that with
: the caliber of comp teams that were there
: today, the best score was a15.4! (Congrats
: Jason)
: A 15.4 wouldn't keep you in the top 5 of the
: last eight events this year. So, if you
: know the answer fess up cause that's the
: sort of stuff that makes a team not want to
: do that event ever again!
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Jason on May 8, 2016, 12:57 pm, in reply to "What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

First of all let me say it was great spending time with the scba BBQ family that i have come to know and love these past two years. The weather was great and Jim put on a great contest. Thanks to Ley for getting the family together for a toast friday night. Sorry for having to leave out so early after awards and not speaking to everyone but my daughter had prom and we had to serve supper. So with that being said I am beyond blown away and very humbled to have my name called last against a very stacked field of some of the best BBQ cooks in the state. I was on cloud nine before i got my score sheet and i can tell you it took the wind out of my sails quick. I don't want to sound like im complaining or anything but DANG! A 15.4!! I know it don't mean anything if you're just chasing a check but if chasing points its a problem. Its bad when you have to drop a win for points. Thanks Cole for starting this post and i agree i think its something that needs to be looked at. Happy Mothers Day !!

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Quentin and Barbara on May 8, 2016, 1:17 pm, in reply to "Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

Explanation, PLEASE!!
Yes, we too, thank Jim Wellman and the wonderful staff at Saluda Shoals for putting on a great event at a beautiful venue. But…

Can someone that judged, please explain to the cooks how 3 past State Champions, 8 Winners of the past 10 Festivals this year, 7 members of the 16+ Club can only receive the high score of 4.5 for Tenderness and 4.6 for Taste?
Did we all forget how to cook? Were their special instructions given at the Judges Meeting that morning? Did we use the Novice Table scores? Maybe a computer glitch?
Just looking for an explanation from any participating judge.
Thank you. Quentin and Barbara Tedder, S’Lowcountry Q, Master Judges, Marshals, SCBA

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Morgan Wilkes on May 8, 2016, 3:10 pm, in reply to "Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

Thanks to everyone for posting this info. I am a beginner, I did about 6 or 7 competitions in later part of last year. The best score I had was 15.4500. I have been working very hard to improve nonstop for months. I even attended the SCBA complimentary class for beginners, thanks to the SCBA, I have been practicing cooking, testing, trying to learn everything possible. Chester is the first competition I have done this year. I know I turned in a better box than I ever did last year. I had good texture, tenderness was good, doneness was dead on. I built the "prettiest" box I have ever turned in. Picture is on my facebook page, Morgan Wilkes.I sauced with a top quality sweet red sauce because if you turn in anything else, I believe you stand no chance at all with the judges, sad, but I believe that to be true. I ended up scoring a 14.600. I was discussed. I rode home thinking this is rediculous. I turned in a box last year that contained bbq that was a little on the tuff side, no sauce at all, had pulled meat with a sliced money muscle that some of the bark was missing, no burnt ends, no tubes, and score a 15.4500. I know my box at chester was better than that. I even got my good friend that was cooking next to me, 2 time SCBA champion,sample the meat, I tried to get him to criticize it, and he said he would have no problem turning it in himself. Maybe I need a new hobby, but to spend so much time and money on working to learn, and improve for over 5 months and turn in a box that I know for a fact was the best I have ever turned in, then score that low.....???????? "Sorry for complaining, I normally do not complain about anything, but for me to keep competing, I have to lay this out there. Sorry if I offend anyone, these statements are toward judging, not the SCBA.

--Previous Message--
: Explanation, PLEASE!!
: Yes, we too, thank Jim Wellman and the
: wonderful staff at Saluda Shoals for putting
: on a great event at a beautiful venue. But…
:
: Can someone that judged, please explain to
: the cooks how 3 past State Champions, 8
: Winners of the past 10 Festivals this year,
: 7 members of the 16+ Club can only receive
: the high score of 4.5 for Tenderness and 4.6
: for Taste?
: Did we all forget how to cook? Were their
: special instructions given at the Judges
: Meeting that morning? Did we use the Novice
: Table scores? Maybe a computer glitch?
: Just looking for an explanation from any
: participating judge.
: Thank you. Quentin and Barbara Tedder,
: S’Lowcountry Q, Master Judges, Marshals,
: SCBA
:
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Tony Harkey on May 8, 2016, 8:51 pm, in reply to "What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

This is something my dad and I have been talking about for the last year. This is the main reason why we're not cooking in SCBA much this year. Last year we competed in 12 competitions. We cooked the same way and did our box the same way everytime, no adjustments. With that being said we scored between 14.2 our low and a 15.8 our high all year long. We don't understand how you can prep, cook, and present the same way each week and our scores vary that much. We are glad this was brought up for discussion because we've been wanting to say something but didn't want it to seem like we were complaining because we didn't win. We love the SCBA and all of our fellow cooks. We love the friends we've made here but something has to be looked at and corrected.
In The Army Que.
--Previous Message--
: Can anyone explain to me and a few other
: cookers what happen to the judges scoring at
: Saluda Shoals park event? It felt like a
: kick in the teeth when I saw that score
: sheet! That's hard to swallow after scoring
: a 15.910 two weeks before with the same
: exact profile that was turned in today.
: There is no way you can tell me that with
: the caliber of comp teams that were there
: today, the best score was a15.4! (Congrats
: Jason)
: A 15.4 wouldn't keep you in the top 5 of the
: last eight events this year. So, if you
: know the answer fess up cause that's the
: sort of stuff that makes a team not want to
: do that event ever again!
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Jason on May 9, 2016, 12:50 pm, in reply to "Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

What the teams turn in to the judges and what teams put out for the people's choice is totally different. So judging another teams competition bbq by what they have on their serving table is not accurate.

--Previous Message--
: I can tell you there was something very bad
: with the judges at Saluda Shoals. We scored
: extremely low, almost slap in the face low.
: We had an SCBA judge with us all night as he
: was doing his overnight cook to become a
: "senior" judge. He tasted our
: meat right before it went in to turn-in box
: and said taste, texture, and tenderness were
: "spot on". Then he called us
: later that day to find out where we finished
: and we got dead last in taste and
: tenderness/texture. And he said that was
: ridiculous, that there is no way we were
: dead last and that low. So, I dont know
: what taste and tenderness these judges think
: they were looking for, but they shouldnt be
: judges. The public absolutely loved our
: Que. There were numerous people sampling
: that made special trips back to us to tell
: us ours was the best by far. Even a SCBA
: judge came out after the judging and sampled
: it and said it was a "17". These
: terrible judges are going to drive
: competitors away from the Columbia events.
: These same ridiculous judges are going to be
: doing the Harley event in 4 weeks. Heck the
: one Que that finished in the money in the
: top 5 tasted like crockpot que soaked in
: chicken stock, it was gross and they got 4th
: or 5th. That's embarrassing.
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Morgan Wilkes on May 9, 2016, 2:59 pm, in reply to "Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

Cris, Ultimate Tailgater, How/when do I listen to your radio/blog show?

--Previous Message--
: First off thanks to Cole for starting the
: conversation + ditto to the last 3 posts
: from Doug, Tesa, and Val. Couldn't have said
: it any better. I have a blog radio show on
: Monday nights. I hope some of you will
: call/listen in as I would like to hear your
: thoughts. Lastly, thanks to Jim Wellman for
: putting on a fine event and feeding everyone
: on Friday night at a beautiful venue.
:
: --Previous Message--
: Can anyone explain to me and a few other
: cookers what happen to the judges scoring at
: Saluda Shoals park event? It felt like a
: kick in the teeth when I saw that score
: sheet! That's hard to swallow after scoring
: a 15.910 two weeks before with the same
: exact profile that was turned in today.
: There is no way you can tell me that with
: the caliber of comp teams that were there
: today, the best score was a15.4! (Congrats
: Jason)
: A 15.4 wouldn't keep you in the top 5 of the
: last eight events this year. So, if you
: know the answer fess up cause that's the
: sort of stuff that makes a team not want to
: do that event ever again!
:
:
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Joke on May 9, 2016, 3:31 pm, in reply to "Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

I have an idea. The SCBA will now go by "T" ball rules. There are no winners and losers. Everyone is special and deserves a trophy.....since y'all can't play nice.
And I get to sit around and eat outstanding BBQ every Saturday.

--Previous Message--
: Wow Derek, let me introduce myself to you. I
: am Cheyenne Ledyard and I was the 4th place
: winner. Did you enjoy your Mothers Day,
: because today you sound like a Little b###h.
: Talking trash about a team is not going to
: help your bbq score any better. You must be
: a Rookie team and my advice to you is to put
: in your time on the circut, worry about only
: your BBQ, and keep your trap shut. Also no
: need to respond to this here, if you feel
: like you have more to say, my number is
: 828.505.6348, and I will be more than happy
: to speak with you.
: Time to BBQ,
: Cheyenne Ledyard
:
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: I can tell you there was something very bad
: with the judges at Saluda Shoals. We scored
: extremely low, almost slap in the face low.
: We had an SCBA judge with us all night as he
: was doing his overnight cook to become a
: "senior" judge. He tasted our
: meat right before it went in to turn-in box
: and said taste, texture, and tenderness were
: "spot on". Then he called us
: later that day to find out where we finished
: and we got dead last in taste and
: tenderness/texture. And he said that was
: ridiculous, that there is no way we were
: dead last and that low. So, I dont know
: what taste and tenderness these judges think
: they were looking for, but they shouldnt be
: judges. The public absolutely loved our
: Que. There were numerous people sampling
: that made special trips back to us to tell
: us ours was the best by far. Even a SCBA
: judge came out after the judging and sampled
: it and said it was a "17". These
: terrible judges are going to drive
: competitors away from the Columbia events.
: These same ridiculous judges are going to be
: doing the Harley event in 4 weeks. Heck the
: one Que that finished in the money in the
: top 5 tasted like crockpot que soaked in
: chicken stock, it was gross and they got 4th
: or 5th. That's embarrassing.
:
:
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Chris: Ultimate Tailgaters BBQ on May 9, 2016, 7:05 pm, in reply to "Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bbqsuperstars/2016/05/10/ultimate-tailgaters-bbq-with-chris-fulmer

--Previous Message--
: Cris, Ultimate Tailgater, How/when do I listen
: to your radio/blog show?
:
: --Previous Message--
: First off thanks to Cole for starting the
: conversation + ditto to the last 3 posts
: from Doug, Tesa, and Val. Couldn't have said
: it any better. I have a blog radio show on
: Monday nights. I hope some of you will
: call/listen in as I would like to hear your
: thoughts. Lastly, thanks to Jim Wellman for
: putting on a fine event and feeding everyone
: on Friday night at a beautiful venue.
:
: --Previous Message--
: Can anyone explain to me and a few other
: cookers what happen to the judges scoring at
: Saluda Shoals park event? It felt like a
: kick in the teeth when I saw that score
: sheet! That's hard to swallow after scoring
: a 15.910 two weeks before with the same
: exact profile that was turned in today.
: There is no way you can tell me that with
: the caliber of comp teams that were there
: today, the best score was a15.4! (Congrats
: Jason)
: A 15.4 wouldn't keep you in the top 5 of the
: last eight events this year. So, if you
: know the answer fess up cause that's the
: sort of stuff that makes a team not want to
: do that event ever again!
:
:
:
:
:

Re: What happend today?!?!?!?!?!

Posted by Damian Punishing Que on May 10, 2016, 8:57 am, in reply to "What happend today?!?!?!?!?!"

Well I will say that this event was humbling experience for us and I would like to tip my hat to all the teams that do this week to week. Your dedication is admirable especially after getting torn down. This week was hard to swallow and seriously made me question ever doing another event but seeing the dedication by so many it just helps motivate you to try harder next time and stay the course.

Also hats off the Jim as well for putting on such a great event and having such a great venue to host it at

--Previous Message--
: Can anyone explain to me and a few other
: cookers what happen to the judges scoring at
: Saluda Shoals park event? It felt like a
: kick in the teeth when I saw that score
: sheet! That's hard to swallow after scoring
: a 15.910 two weeks before with the same
: exact profile that was turned in today.
: There is no way you can tell me that with
: the caliber of comp teams that were there
: today, the best score was a15.4! (Congrats
: Jason)
: A 15.4 wouldn't keep you in the top 5 of the
: last eight events this year. So, if you
: know the answer fess up cause that's the
: sort of stuff that makes a team not want to
: do that event ever again!
:

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